• PugJesus@piefed.socialOPMEnglish
    29·
    3 months ago

    Explanation from Original OP:

    Context: The USS William D. Porter (DD-579) has a reputation for being the most chaotically incompetent ship in naval history. In November 1943, while escorting President FDR on the USS Iowa to the Tehran Conference, the crew managed to have the worst mission of all time. First, they tore the anchor off their sister ship while backing out of the harbor. Next, they accidentally dropped a live depth charge in calm waters, which terrified the fleet because they thought they were under U-boat attack.

    But the finale was the worst part: During a drill to impress the President, the crew forgot to switch their tubes to dummy mode and fired a live torpedo directly at the USS Iowa. FDR actually asked to be wheeled to the railing so he could watch the torpedo miss him. After the entire crew was arrested, other US Navy ships would mock them for the rest of the war by signaling Don’t shoot! We’re Republicans!

  • teft@piefed.socialEnglish
    17·
    3 months ago

    After unceremoniously removing her sister ship’s lifeboat and anchor:

    None of the three ships reported giving or receiving damage to one another in their war diaries during the first half of November 1943.

    After dropping a depth charge:

    Ships logs from William D. Porter and Iowa do not mention a lost depth charge nor a U-boat search on 13 November.

    After torpedoing FDR:

    William D. Porter was in Bermuda from 16 to 23 November 1943; no mention was made of awaiting Marines or the entire crew being “arrested” in the ship’s logs.

    Whoever was taking the log deserves a medal.